Midgard-serpent,—many a struggle they have had together; now the clouds and ocean mutually destroy each other. Since the death of Balder, Frey is the most pure and shining divinity. His pure and noble purpose and longing are still within him, but his sword, his power, is gone. Hence he is stricken down by Surt, the warder of Muspelheim. Heimdal stretched his brilliant rainbow over the earth, Loke his variegated stream of fire within the earth; the one proclaiming mercies and blessings, the other destruction; both perish in Ragnarok. Hel and her pale host also betake themselves to the final contest, but the Eddas say nothing about their taking part in the fight. How can they? They are nothing but emptiness, the mere vanity of the heart, in which there is no substance; they are but the darkness which enwraps the earth, and are not capable of deeds. Thus is Ragnarok! The great antagonism pervading the world is removed in a final struggle, in which the contending powers mutually destroy each other. Ragnarok is an outbreak of all the chaotic powers, a conflict between them and the established order of creation. Fire, water, darkness and death work together to destroy the world. The gods and their enemies meet in a universal, world-embracing wrestle and duel, and mutually destroy each other. The flames of Surt, the supreme fire-god, complete the overthrow, and the last remnant of the consumed earth sinks into the ocean. Footnote 81: Moongarm. See Vocabulary. Footnote 82: Angerboda. See p. 179. Footnote 83: Moongarm. See p. 180. Footnote 84: Hel’s dog. Footnote 85: Loke. Footnote 86: One of Frigg’s maid-servants. Footnote 87: Frey. Footnote 88: Odin. Footnote 89: Thor. Footnote 90: Another name for Frigg. Footnote 91: Defender. Footnote 92: Odin. CHAPTER II. REGENERATION. But when the heavens and the earth and the whole world have been consumed in flames, when the gods and all the einherjes and all mankind have perished,—what then? Is not man immortal? Are not all men to live in some world or other forever? The vala looks again, and She sees arise The second time, From the sea, the earth Completely green: Cascades do fall, The eagle soars, From lofty mounts Pursues its prey. The gods convene On Ida’s plains, And talk of the powerful Midgard-serpent: They call to mind The Fenris-wolf And the ancient runes Of the mighty Odin.